Walsall Council marks Alcohol Awareness Week 2024

Walsall Council is joining the national Alcohol Awareness Week 2024 campaign on ‘understanding alcohol harm’.

The annual campaign, which takes place in the first week of July, aims to educate residents about the impact alcohol can have on health and wellbeing and promote healthy drinking habits. 

The council works with The Beacon (provided by Change Grow Live) that offers free and confidential support for young people and adults in Walsall who misuse alcohol or drugs. They also support friends, families, and carers affected by other people's substance misuse.

Other services are available for residents to access support with alcohol including YMCA The Glebe Centre and SMART Recovery sessions (offered by The Beacon).

Nadia Inglis, Interim Director of Public Health at Walsall Council said,

“Alcohol has an impact on our health and wellbeing. It can cause a range of harms, from poor sleep to high blood pressure, from anxiety to cancer. The more we consume alcohol, the more problematic those harms can become, both to individuals and to their friends and family, and some people develop alcohol dependency. 

“This Alcohol Awareness Week let’s talk about alcohol and the steps we can take to reduce the harms associated with alcohol, from making a plan and letting our family and friends know, to making long-lasting changes to our overall health and wellbeing. 

“Remember that you don’t have to face this alone – it is ok to ask for help, and there is nothing at all to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Free and confidential support is available from our local services in Walsall.”

Anne Brunozzi, Service Manager at The Beacon, Change Grow Live said:

"At The Beacon, we take pride in our inclusivity, supporting people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. Our consultant led care is designed to ensure the safety and health of all individuals, particularly the most vulnerable members of our local community.

"We benefit from a dedicated team of experienced and knowledgeable staff across the service, as well as doctors and nurses, providing advice and support on matters such as drug and alcohol use, recovery and mentoring opportunities, as well as medically assisted treatment, if needed. Our Recovery Hub delivers a full range of group sessions to support those using the service.

"We encourage anyone in Walsall looking for support with drug and alcohol use to get in touch with us by phone or email." 

During Alcohol Awareness Week, The Beacon is holding drop-in health checks on Wednesday 3 July from 10am to 12pm at Unit 4, The Quarter in Walsall Town Centre. Trained nurses will carry out health checks, including blood pressure, heart rate and temperature checks, and a basic physical examination. The health checks are open to the public.